Personal Training in QLD

Personal Training in New Zealand

Top 5 Reasons To Stay Hydrated*

Thursday, 4 May 2017, By Courtney Lornie

It doesn't matter if you are a serious athlete or a recreational
exerciser- it is extremely important to make sure that you are
getting the correct amount of water before, during and after your
exercise session. Here are the top 5 tips to why water should be
consumed.

1. Water helps maintain your body temperature

Through sweating, water prevents overheating when the outside
temperature is high. Once we begin to sweat, the evaporation of
water from the skin surface cools the body very efficiently.
Without this mechanism, our temperature would rise during hot
weather, exercise and fever. To be able to maintain stable
temperature it is important to sweat and particularly, to allow
sweat to evaporate. The only way to rehydrate is to replace the
sweat lost by drinking water or electrolytes.

2. Drinking water keeps you young

Water is essential for your skin. If you don't drink enough
water, you will suffer from dry skin and most likely be using
creams more than you really need. Although there is nothing wrong
with those alternatives - it isn't actually getting to the core of
the problem, rather masking it. Drinking plenty of water keeps your
skin moisturised and reduces the appearance of fine lines and
wrinkles.

3. Water helps decrease fluid retention

Water helps your liver convert fat into energy. If you don't
drink enough water, your kidneys will become overwhelmed with
concentrated fluids, which will lead to your liver being over
worked. Your liver works hard to turn your food into the energy
that you use, but if it has to do the kidneys work as well it will
hold onto the extra fat that would have been burned off if you had
simply had enough water in the first place.

4. Improve Brain Function

Fluid intake and brain function are linked together. A lack of
water to the brain can cause a number of problems including brain
fatigue and brain fog. The brain is one of the most important
organs in your body so make sure you keep it fuelled. The Brain is
approximately 85% water and brain function depends on having access
to water at all times. Brain cells need two times more energy than
any other cells in your body - water provides this energy more
effectively than any other substance.

5. Water helps you train more efficiently

Your body is about 65% of water. Without it, you can only
survive a few days. Dehydration makes your blood thicker, increases
your heart rate and decreases the amount of blood that your heart
pumps with one beat, causing your blood pressure to fall. With
thicker blood you will carry less oxygen with every heartbeat,
which then carries less oxygen to the brain and muscles. Therefor
even a mild case of dehydration can bring on changes to your mood
and declined concentration and alertness- which we know you need to
have during an exercise session.

In conclusion; when your brain is functioning on a full reserve
of water you will be able to think faster, be more focused, train
harder and more efficient and experience greater clarity and
creativity in your everyday activities. You will also feel stronger
and fitter and be able to lift heavier and run faster. Always keep
a bottle of water with you either at your desk, in your
handbag/backpack and ESPECIALLY with you during an exercise
session.